Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-10-06
LIKE WILD BEASTS.
Unparalleled Enthusiasm at the Palmer
House Reception.

LIKE WILD BEASTS.
Unparalleled Enthusiasm at the Palmer
House Reception.
CHICAGO, October with one burst
ing, frantic cheer crashing through the
great rotunda mob of a hundred thousand
people rushed like wild beasts at President
Cleveland and his wife this afternoon in
the Palmer House. 1t was the reception
to the general public, and the Chief Magis-
trate, with his radiant companion, had just
descended the main staircase. So thunder
Gus was the din that the scores Of perspiring
trumpeters seemed making dumb show.
In vain did the police, clubs in hand, at
tempt to stem the rush. The rope barriers
had been swept away at the first onset.
1t was well that nook of safety had been
provided for Mrs. Cleveland. Immediately
TO the right of the staircase was an alcove
almost hidden in silken bunting and wav-
ing green plants. Into this she was hasti-
ly thrust while the President, giving
single sweeping glance at the surging
crowd,
PLUNGED INTO ITS MIDST
and sturdily shouldered himself by sheer
strength into the place it had been decided
he should stand. Three times did files of
brawny dismounted cavalrymen seize the
ends of one OF the ropes that had been
dashed to the floor and strive to drag back
the eager multitude. Only with the aid
of double Gordon OF police, the front line
backing against the crowd and the second
rank pushing their blue coated comrades
forward, did the lasso maneuVre of soldiers
bring faint semblance of order The
President meanwhile was shaking hands
right and left till heIwas red in the face,
aud his fresh linen collar lay limp above
his black Prince Albert coat. Behind him
aud slightly to his right, standing at the
entrance to the alcOve, couple OF steps
above the crowd, was
MRS. CLEVELAND LAUGHING MERRILY
at the Presidents plight and bowling and
smiling good naturedly at the crowd. She
was surrounded by bevy of staid matrons
richly dressed; but FL in dark colors. In
striking contrast was Mrs. Cleveland s
light sky-blIe silk bodice and jupOn trim
med with fleecy dotted lace, fnger wide
to match. Her glossy, pOmpadour- COiled
hair and fluffy bangs were without Orna-
ment, but below glittered delicate
gold neck-chain and lace that
hung from her shoulder, that was
caught together at the line of the COrsage
with magnificent rosette OF diamonds.
Long mousquetiere gloves Of tan and slen-
der serpentine bracelets completed the cos
tune. Mrs. Cleveland looked the personi-
fcatioG of youthful health and beauty as
she stepped little nearer her husband
when the first appearance of a line bad be-
gun to be formed of people At the head
came Il detachment of Union veterans
bearing she tattered bullet riven battle
flag of the 1lth Kansas volunteers.
A STRIKING SCENE
ensued. While the President warmly greet
ed the old soldiers one after another, the
color bearer stepped forward to Mrs. Cleve-
land and gently lowering the old flag bade
her clip off one of its precious shTeds as a
mementO of the day. The wife of the
President gracefully complied, and while
the spectators went wild with enthusiasm
she displayed the trophy proudly to the la
dies at her side. The President shook hands
with redoubled vigor and an actual count
at this iuncture showed his gait TO be AZ
hand shakes minute. This rate was kept
up without intermisSiOn until the time
fixed for the reception to end and
NOT A PERSON IN LINE WAS MISSED.
A low estimate of the number who
marched past him is 5000 persons. But
they were the fortunate few. Thousands
in the corridors and thousands upon thou
sands in the streets failed even 10 catch a
sight of his face. The rotunda and halls
of the hotel like the outside thorough
fares for blocks around had been taken
complete possession OF by the gigantic out
pouring of people, an hour before the re-
ception began and restraint of any kind
seemed impossible. During the crush it
is safe to say as many as fifty women had
to be borne from the throng into the stores
nearby fainting from exhaustion.
RUMoR THAT MRS. CLEVELAND PAINTED.
A rumor gained currency to-day that
Mrs. Cleveland had tainted and was i'll,
originating doubtless in the fact that she
was not present at the reviewing stand
when the speech Of welcome was delivered
and the procession passed in review. It
can be stated upon authority of Col. La
mont and DR.. Bryant that the rumor has
no foundation. The procession was several
times delayed, and as Mrs. Cleveland,
who was somewhat fatigued, wished to
have short time TO rest before dressing
for the afternoon reception, she was
taken in Colonel Lamont's carriage to be
conveyed direct to her rooms at the Pal
mer House. The crowd was so great,
however, that the carriage could not make
its way along and the lady was therefore
invited into the Union League Club,
where she remained and witnessed the
passage of the procession. When this was
over she was taken to her rooms at the
hotel, and at the proper time Joined her
husband at the reception.
THE EVENING RECEPTION